Hello all,
I wanted to remind everyone again of our upcoming conference Dec. 5-8,
2005
in Reno, NV. Below is specific information regarding the conference,
but
the highlights include sessions and presenations on:
Fire management
Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategies
Biodiversity conservation
Invasive species
Species habitat modeling at the landscape scale
Data distribution and availability
Gap state and regional projects
We hope that you can attend the meeting. It should be an interesting
one
especially for those of you who work or have projects in the
Southwestern US.
If you have any questions please email myself ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) or
Nicole Coffey ([EMAIL PROTECTED]).
And remember to register soon and reserve your room at the Silver
Legacy!
Jocelyn
Jocelyn Aycrigg
National Gap Analysis Program
Moscow, ID
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
***********************************************************
National Gap Analysis Conference and Interagency Symposium
Featuring the Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project
(Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah)
December 5 - 8, 2005, Reno, Nevada
Announcement and Registration
Program Background:
The mission of the Gap Analysis Program (GAP) is to provide geographic
information about biological diversity to assist planners, managers,
and policy makers in making informed decisions. The program is designed
to identify gaps in the existing network of protected lands by
indicating the degree to which native animal species and plant
communities are represented in that network. GAP data and analytical
tools are currently used in many applications, from basic scientific
research to land management and conservation planning.
Purpose of the Conference and Interagency Symposium:
We invite you to join us for the upcoming National Gap Analysis Program
conference. This meeting includes a two-day symposium that will focus
on conservation issues in the Southwestern U.S. (AZ, CO, NV, NM, and
UT) and on potential uses of the newly completed Southwest Regional Gap
Analysis Project (SWReGAP) to address these issues. It will also
include presentations and discussions about recent developments and
applications from other GAP projects across the country.
This meeting is sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey, the
Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
the Bureau of Land Management, and the University of Idaho. These
agencies and university systems have been partners on the SWReGAP and
on other state and regional projects across the country. We are
cosponsoring this meeting to provide an opportunity to learn about the
most important environmental issues in the country, particularly in the
Southwest, and to discuss how GAP data sets can be used for resource
management and decision-making.
The symposium on the Southwest is intended to bring together all
relevant individuals and agencies to explore the highest priority
management needs in this region and to discuss how data resources can
be used to assist managers. National GAP has developed seamless
datasets across Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah with
the intent of providing land cover and predicted habitat information to
resource managers and to improve their ability to assess the
distribution and relative level of biodiversity protection across the
region. All agencies or individuals interested in conservation issues
are invited to attend to learn about the Southwest GAP project and
about other conservation issues in the region.
Conference Location:
The meeting will be held at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino
(www.silverlegacy.com) at 407 N. Virginia Street Reno, NV 89501.
Parking is convenient and free in the self-parking garage or with the
complimentary valet service. The Silver Legacy Resort Casino is
centrally located with a variety of restaurants and other amenities
located within the casino and many others within walking distance.
Directions to Silver Legacy Resort Casino: Take the Virginia Street
Exit off I-80 to Sierra Street. Silver Legacy is located between Fifth
Street and Fourth Street. Valet and Self Parking entrances are located
on Sierra Street.
Hotel Information:
Meeting attendees must reserve rooms with their credit card by November
1 by calling the hotel at 1-800-687-8733, mentioning the group code
GAP1205. After November 1, rates will increase and availability of
rooms is not guaranteed. Federal Government Per Diem room rate in Reno,
NV, is $94 per night. The Silver Legacy Resort Casino has provided a
conference rate of $75 per night.
Transportation To and From Reno:
The Reno-Tahoe International Airport is 12 minutes and 3.5 miles from
the Resort. For information on Reno-Tahoe International Airport
Airlines, see www.renoairport.com. The Silver Legacy Resort Casino
provides all guests with complimentary airport shuttle service from and
to the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Shuttles depart every 30
minutes at the top and bottom of the hour from 5:00 am through 11:30
pm. Upon your arrival at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, proceed
to the baggage claim area and follow the signage directing you to the
general airport shuttle area to board the Silver Legacy shuttle.
Registration and Deadlines:
The early registration fee for this 3-day meeting is $180 (single-day
rate $80) if paid by November 1 and mailed to the National GAP
Operations Office. Regular registration is $210 ($90 day rate) with a
deadline of November 25. After November 25, participants can register
on site at the regular registration fee. Full registration includes one
luncheon and one banquet dinner.
Refund and Cancellation Policy:
Registration fees will be refunded if requested 14 days before the
start of the meeting. Substitutions are accepted at any time (call the
National GAP Operations Office at 208-885-3555). If the meeting has to
be cancelled because of unforeseen circumstances, the National GAP
Operations Office will refund registration fees but cannot be held
responsible for any other expenses, including cancellation/change fees
assessed by airlines or travel agencies. The Silver Legacy allows
individual attendees the right to cancel their guest room reservation
without penalty up to 24 hours prior to scheduled arrival.
Suggested Dress:
Casual clothing is acceptable for this meeting. Temperatures in Reno in
the month of December range from a high of 56o to a low of 26o.
Reno Attractions and Recreational Opportunities:
The state offices for the Bureau of Land Management and for the Fish
and Wildlife Service are located in Reno. For visitor information and
suggestions, see www.cityofreno.com.
Tentative Agenda as of 10/24/05:
Monday, December 5, 2005
3:30 6:00 p.m. REGISTRATION
6:00 8:00 p.m. Welcome Reception (cash bar and appetizers
provided)
Tuesday, December 6, 2005
8:00 5:00 p.m. REGISTRATION
10:00 12:00 p.m. WELCOME
Introduction of SWReGAP Bill Kepner, EPA
Plenary Speaker Dr. Bruce Thompson, Director of the New Mexico
Department of Game and Fish
12:00 1:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own)
1:30 4:30 p.m. SESSION 1: OVERVIEW OF SWREGAP PRODUCTS
Introduction to SWReGAP Personnel, Partners, and Cooperators - Julie
Prior-Magee
Overview of project goals and organization - Bill Kepner
An overview of the Southwest Regional GAP Landcover dataset - John
Lowry
An Overview of Animal-Habitat Modeling in Southwest Regional Gap
Analysis Kenneth Boykin
Stewardship Mapping for Southwest Regional GAP Andrea Ernst
Gap Analysis of the Southwest Regional Project Kathryn Thomas
SWReGAP Outreach and Data Availability - Julie Prior-Magee
5:00 6:30 p.m. POSTER SET-UP
6:30 8:30 p.m. SESSION 2A: WORKSHOP - SWREGAP DATA PRODUCT
DEBUT
SESSION 2B: POSTER SESSION
SESSION 2C: WORKSHOP - GAP DATA PORTAL:
USABILITY TESTING
Wednesday, December 7, 2005
8:00 5:00 p.m. REGISTRATION
9:00 12:00 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSION 3A: GAP AND FIRE MANAGEMENT
Introduction to Fire Management Session
National Landcover Mapping Efforts and Fire Management
Fire Condition Class Assessment
LANDFIRE Mapping Existing Vegetation
LANDFIRE Mapping Biophysical Settings
Fire Management and the use of GAP Data
CONCURRENT SESSION 3B: SPECIAL TOPICS IN LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION AND
MANAGEMENT
Application of SWReGAP Data to the Forest Stewardship Programs
Spatial Analysis Project in Utah Lisa Langs
Use of Ground Data from GAP in Combination with Project-specific Data
for Mapping Cover of Invasive Annual Grasses Across Nevada Eric
Peterson
Biological Inventories from the Northern Colorado Plateau Network
Inventory and Monitoring Program, National Park Service Elizabeth
Nance
A Comparison of Current Land Cover Condition to NRCS Ecological Site
Descriptions for Box Elder Count, Utah R. Douglas Ramsey
SWReGAP Data to Estimate Change in Watershed Condition for Selected
Nevada Watersheds using A GIS-based Hydrologic Modeling Approach -
David Goodrich
Navajo Windy Land: An analysis of land suitable for wind energy
development on the Navajo Reservation - Grant Brummels
Patterns in Invasive Non-Native Plant Distribution and Land Cover in
Arizona - K. A. Thomas
12:00 1:30 p.m. Lunch (provided), speaker TBA
1:30 4:30 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSION 4A: COMPREHENSIVE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION STRATEGIES
(CWCS)
Use of GAP data in development of State Comprehensive Wildlife
Conservation Strategies - Jill Maxwell
The Importance of Aquatic GAP Data for Developing Comprehensive
Strategies to Conserve Freshwater Biodiversity, an Example from
Missouri - Scott P. Sowa
Using the Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project Data to Describe
Land Cover and Ownership Patterns in Nevada for Wildlife Conservation
Planning S.L. Abele
Combining the Efforts of Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project and
CWCS in New Mexico and Colorado - Kendal Young
Identify High Priority Conservation Areas in Georgia, for Both the
State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy and the Land
Conservation Partnership Program - Liz Kramer
The Future Opportunities to Leverage Regional GAP Data for
Implementation Efforts in Support of Recently Developed Comprehensive
Wildlife Conservation Strategies - Donald L. Schrupp
CONCURRENT SESSION 4B: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND LAND USE PLANNING
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Using GAP Analysis to Develop Habitat
Goals and Objectives for National Wildlife Refuge System Planning -
Erin Stockenberg
Ecoregional conservation planning in the National Wildlife Refuge
System: Methods and progress on setting landscape-scale habitat
objectives - Rob Dietz
Conservation Planning Using Southwestern ReGAP Data - Seven Es in
the Grand Canyon Ecoregion - Kelly J. Burke
Development of and Aquatic GAP for the Lower Colorado River Basin -
Joanna B. Whittier
5:30 7:00 p.m. Reception (cash bar)
7:00 9:00 p.m. Dinner Banquet (provided), speaker TBA
Thursday, December 8, 2005
8:00 5:00 p.m. REGISTRATION
8:30 10:00 a.m.
CONCURRENT SESSION 5A: NORTHWEST REGIONAL GAP PROJECT
Mapping Ecological Systems in Western Washington for the USGS Gap
Analysis Program - Tom Miewald
Mapping zone 19 - Todd Sajwaj & Jocelyn Aycrigg
Gradient Nearest Neighbor Imputation Maps for Landscape Analysis and
Biodiversity Assessment in the Pacific Northwest - Janet L. Ohmann
Species distribution modeling - Gary Beauvais
CONCURRENT SESSION 5B: GAP DATA DISTRIBUTION AND OUTREACH
An information infrastructure for vegetation classification and
documentation - Robert K. Peet
The GAP Portal and GAP Mapping - Donna Roy
Scaling Down From the Washington Gap Analysis Project: County
biodiversity networks, Bioblitz and Naturemapping - Karen Dvornich
The Nevada Geospatial Data Browser: A spatial data archive for the
Southwest Regional GAP Analysis Project - William G. Kepner
10:00 10:30 a.m. Break
10:30 12:10 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSION 6A: SOUTHEAST REGIONAL GAP PROJECT
Exploring the Use of Decision Trees in Land Cover Mapping - Kevin J.
Kleiner and Mark D. MacKenzie
A Process Evaluation of NC-GAP: Examining the Use of GAP Data in the
Biodiversity Conservation Policy Process - Jay Gerlach
Refining GAP Models to Meet Conservation Needs: A collaborative
partnership - S. Melvin
Creating and Using Spatial Probability Distributions for Longleaf
Pine Ecosystems Across East Mississippi, Alabama, the Panhandle of
Florida, and West Georgia - Mark D. MacKenzie
Methodologies for Classifying the Ecological Systems of the Southern
Piedmont Region of the Southeastern US. - Jason Lee
CONCURRENT SESSION 6B: MODELING HABITATS AT THE LANDSCAPE SCALE TO
SUPPORT DESIRED SPECIES POPULATIONS
GIS-Based Niche Modeling for Mapping Species Habitat Kristine L.
Preston
Evaluating the influences of model parameters on GAP prediction areas
and accuracies - E.J. Laurent
The effect of sample size on the performance of species distribution
models - Pilar A. Hernandez
12:10 1:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own)
1:30 3:30 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSION 7A: STATE GAP PROJECTS
Laying the foundations for GAP in Alaska - Shane Feirer and Corinne
Smith
Overview of the Hawaii Gap Analysis Program: Objectives, challenges,
and results - Megan Laut
Generation and Applications of HI-GAP Land Cover - Selima Siddiqui
and Sam Gon III
Island at a Crossroads: Conservation management, threats, and
priorities in Puerto Rico - William A. Gould
Modeling and Mapping Occupancy Probabilities by Gopher Tortoise in
Florida Upland Habitats - Cherie A. Keller
Habitat Vulnerability Assessment for the Hudson River Valley -
Stephen D. Smith
1:30 3:30 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSION 7B: GAP RESEARCH AND INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
Focal Species as conservation Targets: An assessment of Idahos
forests as comprehensive reserves - Jennifer R. Jensen
Comparison of Two Methods for Classifying Land Use and Land Cover for
GAP Analysis at the Rio El Grande Region of Mexico - Leonardo Chapa-
Vargas
Contribution to Gap Analysis of Tamaulipas State, Mexico - César
Cantú Ayala
Mexico's Terrestrial Gap Analysis - Marcia Tambutti
Mexico's Marine Gap Analysis - Marcia Tambutti
3:30 3:45 p.m. CLOSING REMARKS
